Sports: Tigers Trade Maybin; Keep K-Rod
The Tigers have traded outfielder Cameron Maybin to the Angels for a minor league pitcher, right-hander Victor Alcantara. The Tigers save a million dollars by not having to buy out Maybin’s contract. Instead, the Angels will exercise his $9 million contract option and put him in left field next to Mike Trout. The 23-year-old Alcantara has spent five years in the Angels' minor league system. GM Al Avila says there will be a wide open competition for the Tigers’ center field job starting in the spring.
The Tigers have exercised the option on right-handed pitcher Francisco Rodriguez and will pay him $6 million. The Tigers also have five days to work out a deal with 22 free agents in their system, mostly minor leaguers.
World Series
Cubs fans are expected to amass downtown today for a parade and rally to honor the new World Series champions. The celebration of the Cubs' first title in 108 years will kick off when team buses leave Wrigley Field at 10 a.m. for an official launch of the parade at 11 a.m. The procession will begin at the intersection of famed Michigan Avenue and Oak Street, heading south, and then continue along Columbus Drive to Grant Park for a noon rally. Game 7 had more than 40 million viewers on Fox, the third highest ever and most in 15 years.
Thursday Night Football
The Atlanta Falcons beat the Bucs at Tampa Bay 43-28 on Thursday Night Football, as the NFC South Division leaders avenged an earlier loss to the Bucs. Matt Ryan threw for 344 yards and four touchdowns. Ryan leads the NFL with 2,980 yards and 23 touchdown passes.
High School Football Playoffs
Three area football teams play District Final games tonight.
Undefeated Climax-Scotts (10-0) will take on 8-2 Mendon in Division 8. The game is Friday at 7pm at Climax-Scotts. WBCK will broadcast the game at 6:35pm.
Homer will host Concord in a battle of 8-2 teams.
8-2 Coldwater will go on the road to face undefeated Chelsea in a Division 3 game.
College Football
No. 2 Michigan hosts Maryland on Saturday. Michigan has reached its highest ranking in a decade, marching toward a matchup many are waiting for in three weeks at Ohio State. Maryland has an opportunity to become bowl-eligible with a win. Hear the game at 2:30 Saturday on 104.9 the Edge.
The 2-6 Spartans play at Illinois on Saturday. (10:30am on WBCK)
Olivet College is 7-1 and 5-0 in the MIAA. The Comets visit Adrian College this Saturday.
17th-ranked Western Michigan plays another Tuesday night game, at Kent State, on Election Day next week.
Red Wings
The Red Wings try to break a three-game losing streak as they host Winnipeg tonight in Detroit.
Pistons
The Pistons host Denver on Saturday.
Lions Football
The Lions play at Minnesota this Sunday. Vikings’ offensive coordinator Norv Turner abruptly resigned from the team on Wednesday.
Big Ten Friday Night Football
The Big Ten will play six Friday night football games a year starting in 2017 and continuing through at least 2022. Not every school wants to host those games, though. Michigan has said no to playing home or away. MSU said they would be open to continue to host a Friday game, providing it is on Labor Day weekend. They said they would be willing to play one Friday road game in a season.
NASCAR
NASCAR goes to Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for the AAA Texas 500. After Sunday afternoon, there will be two races left in this season’s Race to the Sprint Cup.
College Basketball
Michigan State’s basketball team is ranked 12th in the AP poll and 9th in the USA Today poll. The Spartans have their regular season opener next Friday against Arizona in Honolulu.
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